Maybe the Broncos picked the wrong year to get nastier and more physical on defense.

Instead of a grudge match against Seattle on Thursday night, the referees demanded Denver play a game of patty-cake.

New safety T.J. Ward brings a big load of mean to the Denver defense.

But, if the Broncos' opening preseason game of 2014 is any indication, the NFL will now allow less contact than what can be seen in the Lingerie Football League.

Ward got flagged for a face-mask penalty on Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson that an overprotective parent would not have called.

Between a 45-minute lightning delay and the flag festival by overzealous refs, every Coloradan forced to sit through this interminable display should have been given a full ticket refund.

Or at least one big fat joint of medicinal marijuana to kill the pain.

Roll 'em if you've got 'em.

Yes, new defensive end DeMarcus Ware came out with so much zeal for blowing up the Seattle offense that he appeared bent on making the Pro Bowl in his first series wearing a Denver uniform.

The NFL, however, apparently wants more offense.

Whenever a defensive player from Denver or Seattle raised a hand, it seemed as if a zebra reflexively threw a flag.

Has the league become so frightened by concussion litigation that all the contact is being eradicated from the sport?

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Denver running backs C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson suffered hits against Seattle that required them to be evaluated for concussions. Thompson was cleared to return. Anderson was not. With presumed starter Montee Ball out of action while recovering from an appendectomy, the start of the regular season is a month away, and the Broncos are already running low on running backs.

In addition to cracking down on defensive backs tugging on the jerseys of receivers, it appears a point of emphasis among NFL officials this year is more beer sales. More penalties. Longer games. Give me another Budweiser.

In the first half alone, the Broncos and Seahawks were flagged for 14 penalties amounting to 120 yards. The game could not have had less flow if a cone-zone crew from the Colorado Department of Transportation was put in charge of it. When Denver's Matt Prater prepared to kick off to begin the second half, the clock showed 9:25 p.m., nearly 2½ hours after the flags began flying.

Thanks for the graphic reminder that the exhibition season in the NFL is a waste of everybody's time and money. On Denver's first offensive possession of the third quarter, there were flags thrown on five consecutive snaps. There's a word for that: unwatchable.

At the conclusion of a 3-yard touchdown run by former Colorado State star Kapri Bibbs that gave the Broncos a 14-10 lead, Seahawks cornerback Tharold Simon got ejected for throwing a punch.

Way to stay classy, Seattle.

When these teams meet Sept. 21 during a tilt that does count in the standings, there will be real acrimony.

Provided, of course, violence is still allowed on NFL fields.

Let me get this straight:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't have a big problem when Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice knocks out his fiancée in a hotel elevator.

But on the field, Goodell now wants a game of two-hand touch on Sunday?

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

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